Contrary to popular opinion, Malcolm Fraser’s politics never changed – he was a lefty on social issues and staunchly right-wing on economic matters, in the 70s as in recent years. It says a lot about politics today that we can’t get our heads around this.

Another day, another opinion poll, another round of speculation as to what the tea leaves really mean.

Today’s Newspoll will be studied closely, as usual, by political observers hoping to get a handle on what voters think of the shenanigans in Canberra. And what that might mean for the future of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Hockey is sticking with his tough-love message, Morrison is talking about incremental reform, and Abbott is simply focused on doing whatever it takes to ensure his political survival. These mixed messages don’t bode well for the 2015 budget.

It’s usually only after a monumental failure that a politician sets out to recreate him or herself, yet the new social services minister Scott Morrison is looking to change things up despite achieving what is considered by many Australians to be a political success.